Pages Menu
Ori Tahiti by Joelle I Les stages en Vidéo
Air Tahiti nui
Tahiti Art
Tahitian secrets
Categories Menu
Variations and Combination Steps

Variations and Combination Steps

There are variations for all dance steps in Tahitian dance. These variations also contain their own variations. Mixed steps, or combination steps, are a hybrid of two that when performed create a third step that is completely original.

A mixed step is indistinctly composed of two basic steps (for instance: haamenene: ami+ faarapu/ faarori) or of two well arranged variations. The possibilities are limitless with each innovation being passed along for use by other dancers.

Ori Tahiti by Joelle. Les pas Combinés

Crédit photo : Philippe Ailloud

Therefore, the common heritage of dance steps is in a constant state of growth, especially thanks to the soloists who are constantly inventing new steps in order to become the “best dancer” at the Heiva Dance Festival.

The names of dance step variation will differ according to the dance groups or schools that utilize them. There is no universal index recognized by the academy for one to refer to when learning dance steps.

Generally, the name of a step comes from the everyday language of the Tahitian people, and it is the decision of the dance school or the dance group to name its steps according to its own convictions. Even so, the movement and the step remain the same despite discrepancies in the name.

Some steps are completely original and in rare instances do not even have a name. For identification purposes they are described as a type of…ami, varu, faatere etc.

Each dance school or dance group reserves the right to freely name its variations or mixed steps.




The pictures on this website are published with the authorization of the photographers. We would like to add the names of the groups represented on the pictures. If you are a member of one of these groups, or if you are on the picture, we can add your name if you wish so. Contact us by clicking here.